Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1887-03-30
Minutes CT Teachers Institute,
March %, 1887

MaiGH "a, 1901.
Institute opened at S:45: but as
your Journalist was tardy (all on
accountoffa fast time) the morning ex-
e%rcises had passed except the reading
of the journals by Mr.. Aiken and
Miss Ida Kiplinger.
Then the b division passed to the
East room while the A division en-
joyed a profitable lesson on the all
important subject, Reading, which
was presented by Prof. Dempster.
The different methods of primary
reading were discussed namely, A b
c, Word and Sentence. The form err
we are not sorry to say was placed
in the background. In using the
word method the letters are learned
incidentally. We think this a
most excellent method but Prof. d.
believes in the Sentence method
which we have no doubt is ahead of
the others. Then different steps
were given in relation to the teaching
o! reading according to this method
after which our lesson for tomorrow
was assigned and then Prof. Wernli
appeared before lis with the subject
of arithmetic. We thought the les
son a very interesting one but as my
Journal is getting quite lengthy I
will not dwell longer on the arithme-
tic work but pass to the next on the
programe which was recess.
We we're soon sitting very quitely
listeningto the Geography lesson pre-
sentcd by Prof Thurston. This les
son was full of useful instructions
which we think will be a great help
to many Of us in teaching this sub
ject to u primary scholars. The
ringing of The bell made us realise
our time had expired. Next in Or
der came the Language Lesson 0 n
Quoted by Prot. Wernli. The use of
nouns with opposite qualities, cap
~italsatlon, punctuation, essential
qualities, action words and the sub
ject of composition was taken up.
AS it was now nearing dinner time
we gladly welcomed the tap of
the bell which brought the b
division into the west room, then
with asong we were dismissed. How
time flies! 1870, we assembled in the
west room. First roll call to which
they all responded the ones having
come to life were missing in the
morning we found the number reach
ed II. Nextsinging, after some well
chosen remarks under the head of
didactics, given by Prot. Wernli we
had a short recess after which Prof.
Dempster took up the subject of
photography. Yesterday slesson was
review; then the new lesson was TAX
Ell up in which we discussed the
different plans of oral spelling, the
object of each being given. Next
Prof. Wernii conducted a modal
writing class which seemed to be
highly appreciated.
Time for history was at hand which
was presented by Prof. Thurston
The causes ofthe cival war, also the
diifernt methods of doing away with
slavery were thoroughly discussed.
Then came the subject of physiology
by Prof. Wernli. This lesson was in
teresting, The tap ofthe bell brought
the b class into the west room. Prof.
Wernli in the forenoon having arran-
ged a query-box it was nov opened
and some very curious and inquisi-
tive questions were brought to light,
after the disposal of these we were
dismissed 4:50.
MARCH 22d, 1887.
Institute assembled in west ROOM,
81 present, end after opening exer-
else, b class passed to east room,
where Prof. Wernli commenced the
arithmetic lesson with a few exam
Piles in rapid calculation and an il.
Illustration Of the difference between
abstract and concrete numbers, also
example in profit and loss to show
that the per cent. is calculated on
the cost price. Then followed a few
remarks implying that we should
not teach numbers which were be-
yond the comprehension Of the
young mind, then it was illustrated
that counting was adding and that
subtraction was counting backwards.
1t was recommended that the teach
er use some small objects to count,
&c but not to forget that necessity
of the human mind, change, but to
keep up the exercises with different
objects till the work can be done
rapidly.
The Prof. then introduced the
Groube method Of teaching first
without figures, then with-the use
Of the system was illustrated by the
use Of the numbers l, 2 and 5, show
fng how the four rules are taught at
once and in. connection. Then fol-
lowed counting by 2's, 3's. ~ and 8.
in classes which showed thafsthe px-